By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Customers of Airtel Africa Plc in Nigeria, Tanzania, and Zambia can now begin to enjoy ultra-fast and ultra-reliable internet connection as the telecommunications giant has commenced its 5G services.
Recall that last year, Airtel Nigeria secured its 5G licence from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
The telco obtained the go-ahead to offer 5G services in the country after the regulator earlier gave similar licences to its main rival, MTN Nigeria, and Mafab Nigeria Communications Limited in 2021.
Airtel Africa disclosed in a statement that its 5G network will initially go live in Nigeria, Tanzania and Zambia before rolling out in the rest of the markets.
The leading provider of telecommunications and mobile money services has a presence in 14 countries across Africa.
With 5G, customers can now enjoy immersive real-time gaming, and streaming live content, among other uses on the ultra-fast, ultra-reliable network for home internet.
It is believed that the greater and seamless connectivity will also power businesses, particularly those that run on web-based applications as well as facilitate virtual meetings.
“With the 5G network, we are offering our customers an opportunity to live the future and experience its possibilities.
“This is in line with our purpose to transform lives. By investing in cutting-edge digital connectivity to unlock a broad range of opportunities, we are facilitating a digitally connected world for our customers and giving them a reason to imagine,” the group chief executive of Airtel Africa, Mr Segun Ogunsanya, said.
The 5G network will be concentrated in specific zones, such as highly populated residential areas and amenities, such as malls, hospitals, city centres and central business districts.
In these specific 5G zones, which will be designated and marked, customers can enjoy up to ten times faster internet, streaming vivid-quality videos uninterrupted. The 5G network can only be connected through compatible devices.
Adedapo Adesanya